Project: Synthesis of small molecule non-fullerene acceptors for vacuum deposition studies

This position is one of the 10 Doctoral Candidate positions of the EIFFEL (EffIcient Fullerene-Free organic solar cELs) Doctoral Network, which focuses on the development of efficient NFAs, revealing the mechanisms of operation and degradation in NFA-based OSCs, and establishing synthetic strategies for their mitigation to form the basis for a new generation of OSCs - compatible with mass production - for successful commercialisation. The EIFFEL project offers the possibility to pursue the PhD within the Network at different universities/research centres/industrial companies from 7 European countries (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Cyprus and France,). Background information on all DC positions is available on www.eiffelproject.eu.

EIFFEL has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2022 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Networks (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01) scheme, grant agreement number: 101119780.

Project description:

Objectives: The DC will be trained in heterocyclic synthesis and organic small molecule characterisation methods (NMR, MS, FTIR, UV-vis etc). As the DC will focus their synthetic and characterisation studies on low molecular weight (<700 Da) molecules for applications as NFAs, additional training in relevant skills will be provided, such as, cyclic voltammetry, thermal characterisation, i.e., differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as computational chemistry (Gaussian).

Expected Results: 1) A highly trained DC in heterocyclic synthesis; 2) New non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) for vacuum deposition; 3) Deeper understanding of structure to property relationships required for the design of next generation, commercially viable NFAs.

The DC will enroll in the doctoral student programme at University of Cyprus.

Appointment:

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of 36 months (PhD student, regular full-time employment contract). A very attractive salary plus allowances package according to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – Doctoral Networks rules. 
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

Eligibility conditions:

Applicants can be of any nationality but in order to be eligible for the DC positions the following specific MSCA eligibility criteria apply:

The applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Candidate’s profile:

• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry providing access to PhD programs and should have experience with experimental research.
• Applicants must have a very good knowledge (written & spoken) of the English language.
• Strong motivation and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international team.

How to apply:

To learn more about the application process, please, fill out the form below.

Further Information: 

• For additional information about this research project & DC position, please contact the scientist-in-charge / supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Koutentis koutenti@ucy.ac.cy
• For additional information about administrative aspects, please contact: hello@eiffelproject.eu
• Some background material about host institution & research group can be found here: www.ucy.ac.cy/directory/en/profile/koutenti and www.eiffelproject.eu.